Configurable cassettes

ABSTRACT

A cassette has a top joined with a releasably attached double hinge to a bottom. An interior region can be filled with dental/medical instruments for sterilization and/or storage. The instruments can be supported by pre-arranged supports and retaining members. A practitioner can configure the arrangement in the cassette in accordance with his/her preferences.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application No.60/525,274 filed Nov. 26, 2003, entitled“Configurable Cassettes”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to instrument sterilizing cassettes. Moreparticularly, the invention pertains to cassettes of a type that areconfigurable by a dental practitioner in accordance with his/herpreferences in arranging sets of instruments for sterilization, andsubsequent use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dental practitioners are known to have very specific preferences as tothe arrangement of instruments to be used in a given dental procedure.Differing procedures call for different sets of instruments anddifferent arrangements of those instruments prior to starting theprocedure.

Subsequent to the procedure, the instruments need to be cleaned andsterilized. They also need to be placed into the practitioner'spreferred configuration for subsequent use.

It has been known to load sets of instruments into bags forsterilization subsequent to a procedure. The sterile bag of instrumentscan then be provided to the practitioner at the start of the nextprocedure. One of the disadvantages of using sterilization bags is thatthe instruments are loose in the bag and are not arranged as preferredby the practitioner.

Dental instrument cassettes represent another approach to sterilizing,and storing arranged instruments for use by a practitioner. Suchcassettes can be formed of sterilizable heat resistant plastic ormedical grade stainless steel. Known cassettes often have hingedsections which can be closed upon one another to form an interiorregion. The instruments can be arranged in the interior region forsterilization and storage until the practitioner is ready to use themfor the next procedure. When the cassette is opened, the instruments arepresented to the practitioner in his/her preferred arrangement.

Plastic sterilization and storage cassettes have been disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,541,992 entitled “Apparatus for Organizing, Sterilizing andMaintaining Medical/Dental Instruments”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,413entitled “Sterilization and Storage Cassette”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,929entitled “Sterilization and Storage Cassette”. Metal storage cassetteshave been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,475 entitled “InstrumentCassette”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,726 entitled “Two-Tiered Sterilizationand Storage Cassette”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,84,632 entitled “Two-TieredSterilization and Storage Cassette”, Des. Patent No. D 441,457 entitled“Sterilization Cassette” and Des. Patent No. D 360,697 entitled“Sterilization Cassette”. The previously enumerated patents are allassigned to the assignee hereof and incorporated by reference herein.

While the known cassettes have been useful and effective for theirintended purposes, there continues to be a need for cassettes whichenable dental practitioners to more readily arrange instruments inaccordance with their preferences. Preferably such cassettes could alsobe readily reconfigurable in the event that the practitioner wishes tochange the instrument set, or, wants to modify the instrumentarrangement. It would also be desirable if the cassettes could beconfigured so as to have a minimal footprint when opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an instrument sterilization and storagecassette in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates one instrument storage configuration usable with thecassette of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates an alternate instrument storage configuration usablewith the cassette of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating additional details of theinstrument configuration of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of the hinge of thecassette of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of an interior region of the cassetteof FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cassette of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6A and 6B taken together illustrate additional details of thehinge configuration of the cassette of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of a corner of the cassette of FIG.6B;

FIG. 8A illustrates a syringe clip usable with the cassette of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 8B illustrates a needle cap holder usable with the cassette of FIG.1A;

FIG. 8C illustrates a hinged instrument clip usable with the cassette ofFIG. 1A;

FIG, 8D illustrates a compression rail usable with the cassette of FIG.1A;

FIG. 8E illustrates an alternate form of a compression rail usable withthe cassette of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 8F is an exemplary base rail assembly usable with the cassette ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 8G illustrates an exemplary base rail anchor usable with thecassette of FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate instrument configuration in accordancewith the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms,specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will bedescribed herein in detail with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and isnot intended to limit the invention to the specific embodimentillustrated.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C illustrate different configurations of a dentalinstrument storage and sterilization cassette 10. As illustrated in FIG.1A, the cassette 10 includes a cover, an upper, molded, thermoplasticbody member 12 a and a base, a lower, molded thermoplastic body member12 b.

The members 12 a, b can be molded of any high strength autoclavablethermoplastic. Alternately, one or both of members 12 a, b can be formedof metal.

Members 12 a, b when closed against one another, as illustrated in FIG.1A, define and bound an interior instrument storage region.

FIG. 1B illustrates the cassette 10 in an open state and having a firstinstrument configuration 10-1. The configuration 10-1 presents to thepractitioner a plurality of instruments I-1 which could be the same ordifferent depending on the procedure with which the instruments areassociated. The instruments I-1 are oriented and arranged in theconfiguration 10-1 with their elongated axes, perpendicular to anelongated axis of each of the members 12 a, b. The instruments I-1 aresupported on removable and rearrangeable silicon based rail assemblies,best seen in FIG. 8F. Other instruments can be retained by one or morebase rail anchors 18, or clips and holders, best seen in FIGS. 8A, 8Band 8C.

The upper region or cover 12 a, FIG. 1B, carries a removably attachedcompression rail indicated generally at 22. When the cover 12 a isclosed against the base 12 b, the compression rail 22 clamps theinstruments I-1 against the respective base rail assemblies 16 a, bthereupon blocking any movement of the respective instruments duringsterilization, transportation to the location for the procedure, or,during storage between procedures.

The base rail assemblies 16 a, b are either directly coupled to orindirectly coupled to the base 12 b via base rail anchors 18, byengaging various members of an elongated plurality of openings, such asthe representative opening 26 in base 12 b. The openings 26 are spacedaxially along the base 12 b. Shorter openings 26-1 are spaced axiallyalong the base 12 b and provide additional locations to which the rails16 a,b and/or base rail anchors 18, clips or instrument holders can beattached.

The cover 12 a also includes a plurality of circular perforations suchas representative perforation 28. It will be understood that theelongated perforations or openings 26, 26-1 and circular openings 28 notonly facilitate locating and attachment of various instrument supportelements, they also contribute to and facilitate sterilization of theinstruments carried in the cassette 10 when in a closed state, such asin FIG. 1A.

It will also be understood that the cover 12 a and base 12 b could beidentical. In this configuration, the perforations 26, 26-1 and 28 wouldalso be identical.

Clips for hinged instruments, such as clips 32 a, 32 b can be releasiblyattached to selected ones of the openings 28 in accordance with thepractitioner's preferences. A hinged instrument, such as scissors I-2can be carried by the hinged instrument clips such as 32 a, b. As willbe understood by those of skill in the art, the hinged instrument clipsas well as the instruments for rails and rail base anchors can bearranged in a variety of configurations relative to covers 12 a and base12 b. These arrangements are preferably based on the preference of thepractitioner.

An alternate instrument configuration 10-2 is illustrated in FIG. 1C. InFIG. 1C, a plurality of instruments I-3 is supported on respective baserails, such as 16 a′, 16 b′, which could be identical to the base rails16 a, b. In the configuration 10-2, the plurality of instruments I-3extend parallel to the elongated axis of the cassette 10. Theinstruments I-3 can be retained in place by compression rail 22′ whichis retained in circular openings 28. The configuration 10-2 does notinclude supports 32 a, b.

The cassette 10 is also advantageous in that a practitioner caninitially use insrument configuration 10-1 and subsequently change thesame in accordance with his/her preferences. Similarly, the hingedinstruments such as instrument I-2 can be added or deleted from theinstrument set.

The cover 12 a and base 12 b can be latched together with a pair ofelongated latches 38 a, b. The latches 38 a, b are preferably carried oncover 12 a. They slidably engage respective latching elements 40 a, b onthe base 12 b when the cover 12 a is closed against the base 12 b. Otherlatch configurations come within the spirit and scope of the invention,for example the latches could be carried on the base 12 b.

Those of skill will understand that instrument configurations 10-1, -2are exemplary only. Other configurations come within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of cassette 10 with instrument configuration10-1. As best seen in FIG. 2, the top 12 a, and base 12 b are pivotallyjoined by a removably attachable double hinge indicated generally at 44.The hinge 44 could be formed, preferably, of stainless steel.Alternately, it could be formed of cured resin.

The hinge 44 has two spaced apart parallel pivoting axis 44 a, b. Thetwo axis are joined by an intervening, elongated rigid member 46 a.Rigid elongated member members 46 b and 46 c of hinge 44, rotaterelative to the member 46 a about the axis 44 a, b. The members 46 b,cslidably and removably engage cover 12 a and base 12 b at slots 12-1,-2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred engagement structure of hinge 44. It willbe understood that other engagement structures comes within the spiritand scope of the present invention. Examples include snap-lockarrangements, friction fit or fasteners.

The members 46 b,c extend through slots such as slots 12-1, -2,respectively formed in cover 12 a and base 12 b. As the members 46 b, cslide into the respective slots, 12-1, -2, perforations therein, such asperforations 48 a, 48 b slidably receive spring biased ends 50 a and 50b. The ends 50 a, b are carried within members 50-1 and 50-2 andreleasibly lock the hinge 44 to cover 12 a and base 12 b.

FIG. 4, an enlarged section of a portion of the base 12 b of FIG. 2,illustrates details of the base rails, such as base rails 16 a,b or 16a′, b′. The respective rails can be attached to base rail anchors.Alternately, they can be directly attached to the base member 12 b witha friction or snap fit.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cover 12 a.

FIGS. 6A, 6B illustrate beneficial and advantageous aspects of thecassette 10. The cover 12 a folds completely under the base 12 b as aresult of the structure of the double hinge 44. As illustrated in FIG.6A, 6B, as a result, the cassette 10 exhibits only a single trayfootprint, thus taking up less valuable space when in use.

FIG. 7, an enlarged, corner, fragmentary view of base 12 b, illustratesthe use and installation of an accessory clip, such as clip 54 a. Suchclips could be formed of metal, stainless steel, for example, or resin.Clip 54 a is slidably mounted on molded post 54 b which extends frombase 12 b.

A needle cap holder 56 a is slidably mounted on another molded post 56b. The clips 54 a and needle cap holder 56 a are exemplary only. Neithertheir configuration nor their characteristics are limitations of thepresent invention. Other clips come within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

FIGS. 8A-8G illustrate various types of exemplary instrumentsupport/restraining members usable with the cassette 10. FIG. 8Aillustrates details of syringe clip 54 a. FIG. 8B illustrates details ofneedle cap holder 56 a. FIG. 8C illustrates details of the hingedinstrument clip 32 i. FIGS. 8D, 8E illustrate two different forms ofcompression rails 22-1, -2. Both types of compression rails can bereleasibly attached to cover 12 a.

FIG. 8F illustrates an exemplary rail assembly 16i. FIG. 8G illustratesa base rail anchor, such as anchor 18.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of another instrument configuration 10-3. Theconfiguration 10-3 uses the cover and base 12 a, b, discussedpreviously, along with the hinge 44. However, instrument configuration10-3 is based on incorporating one or more trays such as 66 a,b,c withinthe region formed by the cover and base 12 a, b.

For example, and without limitation, instruments can be stored in a deeptray 66 a or one of two shallow trays 66 b, 66 c. The trays can beretained by resin tie downs 68 which slidably engage posts, such as post70 to clamp the respective trays to the base 12 b.

In addition to the trays, hinged instrument clips, such as the clips 32i discussed previously, can be slidably attached to the cover 12 a forpurposes of carrying one or more hinged instruments as would beunderstood by those of skill in the art. It will be understood thatother tray based instrument storage arrangements come within the spiritand scope of the present invention. It will also be understood that allelements or components usable in the cassette 10 could be formed ofresin or metal.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appendedclaims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

1. An instrument cassette comprising: a molded body having first andsecond pivotably attached, molded sections, when the sections are incontact with one another they define a substantially closed interiorregion, one of the sections defines a plurality of perforationstherethrough having a first shape, the other section defines a pluralityelongated perforations therethrough having a second, different shape;and a plurality of instrument carrying elements, the elements releasiblyand lockingly engage a portion of some of the perforations of at leastone of the sections, the elements are usable to establish an alterableinstrument support configuration within the body.
 2. A cassette as inclaim 1 where one of the sections defines a plurality of circular,spaced apart perforations.
 3. A cassette as in claim 1 where thesections are pivotably attached by a removable hinge.
 4. A cassette asin claim 1 where the members of the plurality of elements aredisengageable from the at least one section and re-engageable with theat least one section to establish a second, different, instrumentsupport configuration.
 5. A cassette as in claim 4 where at least someof the members of the plurality of elements are different from othermembers of the plurality of elements.
 6. A cassette as in claim 1 whichincludes a latch that locks the sections to one another.
 7. A cassetteas in claim 5 which includes a latch that locks the sections to oneanother.
 8. A cassette as in claim 7 where the latch comprises first andsecond portions which slidably engage one another.
 9. A cassette as inclaim 7 where at least some of the members of the plurality of elementsare formed of metal.
 10. A reconfigurable instrument cassettecomprising: a perforated body and a releasibly attachable double hinge;a plurality of instrument locating elements, the elements releasiblyengage at least portions of the body to locate respective instruments inthe body; a releasable latch to retain the body in a closed condition;the locating elements can be positioned in a first, initial,configuration and subsequently, positioned in a different configuration.11. A cassette as in claim 10 where the body defines first and seconddifferent perforations and some members of the plurality slidably engagethe first perforations while others slidably engage the secondperforations.
 12. A cassette as in claim 11 where the body is molded ofa selected resin.
 13. A cassette as in claim 12 with at least one of thefirst perforations or the second perforations generally elongated.
 14. Acassette as in claim 11 with the first perforations generallysymmetrical about a central axis.
 15. A cassette as in claim 11 where aselected instrument is locatable by first members of the plurality whichengage the first perforations.
 16. A cassette as in claim 15 where adifferent selected instrument is locatable by second members of theplurality which engage the second perforations.
 17. A cassette as inclaim 16 which includes a plurality of integrally molded support posts.18. A cassette as in claim 17 where some of the locating elementsslidably engage respective ones of the posts.
 19. A cassette as in claim16 where at least some of the first members comprise snap-in rails. 20.A cassette as in claim 19 where the second members comprise snap inretaining members.
 21. A cassette as in claim 20 where the snap in railsand snap in retaining members define an instrument storage regiontherebetween.
 22. A cassette as in claim 21 where the body has a bodyelongated dimension, where the instrument storage region defines aninstrument elongated dimension, and where the elongated dimensions areone of parallel to one another, or perpendicular to one another.
 23. Acassette as in claim 22 where the elongated dimensions are alterablerelative to one another.
 24. A cassette as in claim 23 where the bodyhas first and second sections hingedly coupled by the releasibilyattachable double hinge.
 25. A cassette as in claim 24 where the hingehas two pivoting axis.
 26. A cassette as in claim 24 where the hinge isformed of metal.
 27. A method of organizing instruments comprising:arranging a plurality of moveable instrument support rails to support aplurality of elongated instruments by constraining each of the rails ina fixed position relative to others of the rails; and arranging aplurality of scissors clamping elements to support at least one scissorsby constraining each of the clamping elements in a fixed positionrelative to others of the elements.
 28. A method as in claim 27 whichincludes arranging a separate instrument compression rail parallel tothe instrument support rails to apply instrument retaining forces toretain the instrument therebetween.
 29. A method as in claim 28 whichincludes moving the instrument compression rail from a first,non-retaining, position to a second, retaining position.
 30. A method asin claim 29 where the movement is non-linear.
 31. A method as in claim28 where arranging the support rails includes deforming each of thesupport rails, at least in part, to constrain their positions relativeto one another.
 32. A method as in claim 28 where arranging thecompression rail includes deforming that rail, at least in part, tofixedly locate it parallel to the instrument support rails.
 33. A methodas in claim 28 which includes mounting the compression rails and theinstrument support rails in respective open trays and releasablyengaging a double hinge with the trays and folding one tray under theother.